Steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure that continuously generates necessary steam while smoothly supplying water to a steam tank by using a self vapor pressure stored in the steam tank as well as minimizes heat loss in a process of generating steam to outside thereby reducing energy consumed in generating steam, and more particularly, to a steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure that supplies water more smoothly through a control method of opening a water supply pressure tank only after the water supply pressure tank is supplied with sufficient vapor pressure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology that continuously generates necessary steam while smoothly supplying water to a steam tank by using a self vapor pressure stored in the steam tank as well as minimizes heat loss in a process of generating steam to outside thereby reducing energy consumed in generating steam, and more particularly, to a technology that supplies water more smoothly through a control method of opening a water supply pressure tank only after the water supply pressure tank is supplied with sufficient vapor pressure.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, high pressure steam obtained through heating water used widely in various fields like laundry, sewing factory, cook house and the like is usually obtained by steam generation device.

Such steam generation device is installed with a water level sensor that perceives a water level in a steam tank which generates and stores stream. When the water level diminishes according to an increase in amount of discharged steam by a continuous operation of heating device installed in the steam tank and reaches a predetermined lowest water level, the water level sensor perceives this and achieves water supply by automatically opening a water supply control valve installed in a water supply pipe.

The said conventional steam generation device has to use a separate electric motor pump to supply new water to the steam tank as long as a water supply tank is not disposed above a steam tank to supply water by a natural pressure from a level difference in height.

Further, as self pressure inside the steam tank is maintained high, water supply is not smooth even if the water supply tank is disposed above the steam tank. In order to solve this problem, a motor pump of large capacity must be established which costs not only a lot of establishment expenses, but also lowers energy efficiency and operability due to consuming lots of electric power in starting and operating the motor pump, thus demanding lots of maintenance expenses.

In order to solve such problem, the prior patent application (KR 2009-31160 title/high temperature high pressure and high efficiency water supply device used in steam generation device) by the applicant of the present invention is suggested. The said prior patent application supplies water using self pressure produced in the steam tank to minimize a difference in pressure changed during supplying water, thus provides a useful effect of minimizing a whole energy loss by achieving a proper water level.

However such prior registered invention still includes some parts to be improved in spite of the useful effect.

First, as ON/OFF operation of the 1st automatic control valve installed in the vapor pressure supply pipe connected to the water supply tank and the 3rd automatic control valve installed in the water supply pipe connected to the steam tank is performed at the same time, the water supply pipe is open at the same time when the vapor pressure is supplied to the water supply tank. Therefore, sufficient vapor pressure is not yet supplied to the water supply tank but the steam and water of the steam tank flows backward to the water supply tank or problem of severe shaking is produced.

Second, the steam tank is exposed and left to room temperature to cause a lot of heat loss to outside. Moreover, the steam discharge pipe that discharges steam to be used for necessary purpose and the steam supply pipe that supplies vapor pressure of the steam tank to the water supply tank are exposed and left to room temperature to increase heat loss further.

Third, due to a constructional characteristic of disposing the water supply tank above the steam tank and disposing the reference water level tank above the water supply tank vertically in succession, a whole dimension of the steam generation device becomes unnecessarily large and cannot maintain its constructional stability.

Fourth, though a water level sensor applied in all the steam generation devices including the invention of the prior application use a method of using buoyancy and lead switch or a method of using electrical resistance value, due to a characteristic of irregular undulating or shaking of water surface of the steam tank by the expansive pressure during boiling of high temperature water in the prior steam generation device, the perceived value of the water level is not accurate and causes malfunctioning of sequentially operating devices. The water level sensor of method using laser or ultrasonic wave is expensive and has complicated structure, so economically infeasible.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve and improve the above problems of the invention of the prior application, and it is an aspect of the present invention to smoothly supply water inside a water supply pressure tank to a steam tank by opening a water supply control valve connected between the water supply pressure tank and the steam tank with leaving a time difference after opening a pressure supply control valve and supplying sufficient vapor pressure to the water supply pressure tank.

Further, it is an aspect of the present invention to supply vapor pressure to the water supply pressure tank after heating water inside a reference water level tank through heat exchange by taking a route of a vapor pressure supply pipe inside the reference water level tank.

Further, it is an aspect of the present invention to heat upper water using recycled heat which is collected after maximizing in collecting heat lost to outside while an upper water pipe passing a plurality of heat exchange baths.

Further, it is an aspect of the present invention to form a whole structure compact by disposing the water supply pressure tank in front of the reference water level tank, and to automatically replenish the supply water pressure tank when inhaling water of the reference water level tank using a vacuum pressure after discharging all amount of steam pressure of the water supply pressure tank and generating the vacuum pressure in the water supply pressure tank when supplying replenishment water.

Further, it is an aspect of the present invention to apply pressure reduced largely from an expansive pressure of the steam tank to a float by suppressing water surface undulation in maximum and shaking in an external float pipe connected to the steam tank and installed outside thereof.

Solution to Problem

The present invention as a means to solve above problems seeks for a technology that disposes a water supply pressure tank and a reference water level tank in a row horizontally above a steam tank in front and back respectively, connects a vapor pressure supply pipe that is connected to an upper end portion of the steam tank to an upper end portion of a water supply pressure tank through taking a route inside of the reference water level tank, installs a pressure supply control valve in a pipeline of the vapor pressure supply pipe, installs a water supply control valve in a water supply pipe connected between a lower end portion of the water supply pressure tank and the steam tank, and connects a replenishment water pipe provided with a replenishment water control valve between an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank and the reference water level tank.

Further, the present invention seeks for a technology that installs a plurality of heat exchange baths to wrap outer sides of the water supply pipe, a steam discharge pipe, and the vapor pressure supply pipe, and installs the water supply pipe that sequentially passes insides of the heat exchange baths to be connected inside of the reference water level tank.

Further, the present invention seeks for a technology that connects one side of the replenishment water pipe to an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank, installs a discharge/inhale convertible header to be connected to the other side of the replenishment water pipe, and installs the discharge-inhale header to be sought inside the reference water level tank.

Further, the present invention seeks a technology that installs an external float pipe connecting low and high portions of the steam tank to be connected to outside and capable of flowing water, installs a float to be inserted inside the external float pipe, and installs a sensor holder attached with a lead sensor perceiving the float on an outer side of the external float pipe to wrap the external float pipe.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, through controlling the water supply pipe to open with leaving a time difference after supplying sufficient vapor pressure to the water supply pressure tank, flowing back of water in the steam tank to the water supply tank or an incident of producing shaking are prevented and an effect of more smoothly supplying water in the water supply pressure tank to the steam tank is provided.

Further, the vapor pressure supply pipe not only heats water by heat exchange in the reference water level tank while taking a route inside the reference water level tank, but also the upper water pipe maximizes in collecting heat lost to outside by passing through the plural heat exchange baths and recycles to heat the upper water pipe, thereby providing an effect of drastically reducing energy consumed for steam generation and lessens maintenance expenses.

Further, through disposing the reference water level tank and the water supply pressure tank in a row horizontally, the whole structure of the steam generation device becomes compact and produces a vacuum pressure temporarily, thereby providing an effect of automatically replenishing the water supply pressure tank by vacuum-inhaling water of the reference water level tank using the said vacuum pressure when supplying replenishment water.

Further, through installing the external float pipe outside of the steam tank, there is almost no undulation of water surface inside the external float pipe and producing of shaking, then, the float is applied with a largely reduced lower pressure than the expansive pressure inside the steam tank, water level is perceived correctly even under high temperature and high pressure condition, and accuracy of the perceived value of water level is drastically enhanced, and the whole water level sensor is simple to provide an economical effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view illustrating a steam generation device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view cut along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating a connection state of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th heat exchange baths and the upper water pipe according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional plane view illustrating an installation state of the reference water level tank and the water supply pressure tank pipe according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plane sectional view illustrating a connection state of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th heat exchange baths and the upper water pipe according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plane view illustrating an installation state of the discharge/inhale convertible header connected to the front end portion of the replenishment water pipe according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF NUMERALS

1: main body case 10: steam tank

11: heating chamber 14: steam collector

15, 34: steam chamber 16: steam discharge pipe

20 reference water level tank 30: water supply pressure tank

32: spacer 33: water supply chamber

40: vapor pressure supply pipe 50: pressure supply control valve

60: replenishment water control valve 61: replenishment water pipe

62: T-branch 63: discharge/inhale convertible header

70: water supply control valve 71: water supply pipe

80: water level sensor 81: external float pipe

82: connecting pipe 83: sensor holder

90: upper water pipe 91: 1st heat exchange bath

92: 2nd heat exchange bath 93: 3rd heat exchange bath

94: 4th heat exchange bath 95: ball top

96: heat conduction prevention pipe 97: open part

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

An example of a preferable embodiment to realize the specific technical solution of the present invention will be described.

If briefly viewing the attached drawings illustrating a whole technical configuration according to the preferable exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises: a reference water level tank (20) disposed above a steam tank (10); a water supply pressure tank (30) disposed in a row horizontally in front of the reference water level tank (20) to which a replenishment water pipe (61) and a water supply pipe (71) are connected, wherein the replenishment water pipe (61) is disposed between an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the reference water level tank (20), and the water supply pipe (71) is disposed between a lower end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the steam tank (10); a vapor pressure supply pipe (40) which lower side is connected to an upper end portion of the steam tank (10) and which upper side is connected to an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30); a pressure supply control valve (50) installed in a pipe line of the vapor pressure supply pipe (40); a replenishment water control valve (60) installed in a pipe line of the replenishment water pipe (61); and a water supply control valve (70) installed in the water supply pipe (71); wherein water in the water supply pressure tank (30) is controlled to be smoothly supplied to the steam tank (10) by opening solely the pressure supply control valve (50) and supplying sufficient vapor pressure to the water supply pressure tank (30) before sequentially opening the water supply control valve (70) with leaving a time difference.

Hereinafter, the present invention formed in schematic configuration will be described in more detail for more convenient embodiment.

The steam tank (10) is responsible for generating and storing steam by boiling the supplied water. A heating chamber (11) provided at a lower part of the steam tank (10) is attached with a heater socket (12) at one lateral side of the heating chamber (11). Steam is generated by an electric heater (13) that passes through this heater socket (12). The electric heater (13) is installed detachably inside the heating chamber (11). A steam collector (14) for collecting the generated steam is formed above the heating chamber (11) to be communicated with the heating chamber (11), a steam chamber (15) for exclusively storing collected pure steam is formed above the steam collector (14) to be communicated with the steam collector (14), and a steam discharge pipe (16) is installed to be connected to outside at an upper end portion of the steam chamber (15).

Therefore, only a pure vapor pressure stored in the steam chamber (15) is mostly discharged outside using the steam discharge pipe (16) and can be used in various purposes.

Through disposing the reference water level tank (20) above the steam tank (10) and the water supply pressure tank (30) in front of the reference water level tank (20) horizontally in a row, and connecting between an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the reference water level tank (20) by the replenishment water pipe (61), upper water of the reference water level tank (20) can replenish the water supply pressure tank (30). Through connecting a lower end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the steam tank (10) by the water supply pipe (71), water in the water supply pressure tank (30) can be supplied more smoothly to the steam tank (10) by using a high vapor pressure supplied through the vapor pressure supply pipe (40)

That is, through partially supplying the vapor pressure stored in the steam tank (10) to the water supply pressure tank (30) and achieving a mutually equal state in inner pressures between the steam tank (10) and the water supply pressure tank(30), the smooth supply of water filled in the water supply pressure tank (30) to the steam tank (10) is possible.

A spacer (32) formed with a water path (31) at its center is horizontally installed inside the water supply pressure tank (30) to store replenishment water only in a supply water chamber (33) provided below the spacer (32). A steam chamber (34) provided above the spacer (32) can compress and exclusively store a sufficient amount of vapor pressure to smoothly supply water inside the supply water chamber (33) to the steam chamber (10), and an external case(35) can be additionally installed to cover up an outside the water supply pressure tank (30) for external beauty.

The lower side of the described vapor pressure supply pipe (40) is connected to the upper end portion of the steam tank (10) and the upper side of the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) is connected to the upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) to supply a part of the high pressure vapor pressure stored in the steam tank (10) to the water supply pressure tank (30).

The vapor pressure supply pipe (40) has a substantial amount of heat loss by radiating its self heat of high temperature outside. As a solution to recycle this heat loss, the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) is disposed to pass through a bottom surface (21) of the reference water level tank (20) and take a route inside the reference water level tank (20), then water in the reference water level tank (20) is heated by this heat exchange and can replenish with the replenishment water heated in the reference level water tank(20) more smoothly when the water level in the water supply pressure tank(30) is lowered.

The pressure supply control valve (50) is installed in a pipe line of the vapor supply pipe (40), the replenishment water control valve (60) is installed in a pipe line of the replenishment water pipe (61), and the water supply control valve (70) is installed in the water supply pipe (71). Then, a convenient use of automatic controlling in ON/OFF according to a selective operation of the respective pipe lines is provided.

The present invention as described above applies a technological configuration to resolve prior problems of flowing back of water in the steam tank (10) to the water supply pressure tank (30), producing undulation and consuming a lot of time in supplying water from opening control valve (50) and the water supply control valve (70) at the same time when supplying water to the said steam tank (10).

By opening the pressure supply control valve (50) solely to supply sufficient vapor pressure to the water supply pressure tank (30) through the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) as a technological configuration to solve such problems, a state of applying complete pressure is maintained and the internal pressure difference between the steam tank (10) and the water supply pressure tank (30) is diminished.

That is, by not performing water supply but closing the water supply control valve (70) until a sufficient amount or vapor pressure is stored in the water supply pressure tank (30), and controlling the water supply control valve (70) to be opened sequentially only after the sufficient vapor pressure is compressed and stored in the water supply pressure tank (30), a special effect of smoothly supplying water in the water supply pressure tank (30) to the inside of the steam tank(10) is provided.

Meanwhile, a main body case (1) is additionally installed outside of the steam tank (10) to cover up the steam tank (10). The main body case (10) can prevent a heat loss from radiating heat of the steam tank (10) to the atmosphere. A water level sensor (80) is installed externally outside the main body case (1). An ON/OFF of the pressure supply control valve (50) and the water supply control valve (70) is controlled selectively according to a water level perceived by the water level sensor (80).

The water level sensor (80) includes an external float pipe (81) installed outside of the steam tank (10). Connecting pipes (82) connected to lower and upper portions of the external float pipe (81) are connected respectively to lower and upper portions of the steam tank (10) to flow water. An ordinary float is inserted inside the external float pipe (81) to be able to move up and down according to a change in water level. A sensor holder (83) outside of the external float pipe(81) wraps the external float pipe(81).

An ordinary lead sensor perceiving water level by an up/down motion of the float according to a change in water level is attached inside the sensor holder (83). Since the float and the lead sensor is known art in the water level sensor technical field, further detail description will be skipped.

Meanwhile, a pair of a 1st heat exchange baths (91) are installed outside of the connecting pipes (82) to wrap the connecting pipes (82) as shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat exchange baths (92, 93, and 94) are installed outside of the water supply pipe (71), the steam discharge pipe(16) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) to wrap the water supply pipe (71), the steam discharge pipe (16) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) respectively. An upper water pipe (90) connected to flow water sequentially along the pair of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat exchange baths (91, 92, 93, and 94) is connected inside of the reference water level tank (20). A ball top (95) is installed at a front end portion of the upper water pipe (90) to always maintain a reference water level of the reference water level tank (20).

Therefore, the upper water flowing inside the upper water pipe (90) maximizes in collecting heat lost to outside from the connecting pipe(82), the water supply pipe(71), and the steam discharge pipe(40), and recycles to heat the upper water through heat exchange by sequentially passing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat exchange baths (91, 92, 93, and 94), thereby drastically reducing energy consumed for steam generation

Further, heat conduction prevention pipes (96) are connected between an inner lateral surface of the main body case (1) and an inner lateral surface of the 1st or 3rd heat exchange baths (91, 93). The heat conduction prevention pipes (96) are installed to wrap outsides of the connecting pipes (82) and the steam discharge pipe (16) respectively. Open parts(97) connected to outside are formed at front end portions of the heat conduction prevention pipes (96) to prevent direct contacts between the main body case (1) and the connecting pipes (82) or the steam discharge pipe(16). Then, loss of high temperature heat of the connection pipe(82) and the steam discharge pipe(16) to outside through heat conduction to the main body case(1) is actively cut-off.

Moreover, heat conduction pipes (96) are connected between an upper surface of the main body case (1) and a bottom surface the 2nd or 4th heat exchange baths (92, 94). The heat conduction prevention pipes (96) are installed to wrap outsides of the water supply pipe (71) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) respectively as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. Open parts (97) connected to outside are formed at front end portions of the heat conduction prevention pipes (96). Then, loss of high temperature heat of the water supply pipe (71) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) to outside through heat conduction to the main body case(1) is actively cut-off.

Further, the heat conduction prevention pipes (96) perform a combined work of preventing high temperature heat of the connecting pipes (82), the steam discharge pipe (16), the water supply pipe (71) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) from conducting to the main body case (1) and of radiating heat for water flowing along the upper water pipe (90) not to be overheated.

Meanwhile, one end of the replenishment water pipe (61) of the present invention is connected to the upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the other front end of the replenishment water pipe (61) is connected to a T-branch (62). A discharge/inhale convertible header (63) of ring type is integrally connected to opposite sides of the T-branch (62). The discharge/inhale convertible header (63) is disposed to be sought in the reference water level tank (20). A plurality of nozzle holes (64) are formed at the discharge/inhale convertible header (63) in equal interval.

When the water level of the water supply pressure tank (30) is lowered and supplying of the replenishment water is necessary, the replenishment water control valve (60) installed in the replenishment water pipe (61) is opened temporarily, the vapor pressure of high pressure remained in the water supply pressure tank (30) moves rapidly to the reference water level tank (20) and all amount of the vapor pressure is discharged to the reference water level tank (20) through the discharge/inhale convertible header (63).

Accordingly, pressure of the reference water level tank (20) increases while the water supply pressure tank (30) decreases rapidly to generate a vacuum pressure inside thereof. Water in the reference water level tank (20) is inhaled through the discharge/inhale convertible header (63) and automatically replenishing the water supply pressure tank (30). If the water in the water supply pressure tank (30) reaches a predetermined maximum water level, supplying of replenishment water discontinues by automatically closing the replenishment water control valve (60). 

1. A steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure comprising: a reference water level tank (20) disposed above a steam tank (10); a water supply pressure tank (30) disposed in front of the reference water level tank (20) horizontally in a row, wherein a replenishment water pipe (61) is connected between an upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the reference water level tank (20), and a water supply pipe (71) is connected between a lower end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the steam tank (10); a vapor pressure supply pipe (40) which lower side is connected to an upper end portion of the steam tank (10) and upper side is connected to the upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30); a pressure supply control valve (50) installed in a pipe line of the pressure supply pipe (40); a replenishment water control valve (60) installed in a pipe line of the replenishment water pipe (61); and a water supply control valve (70) installed in a pipe line of the water supply line (71), wherein one side of the replenishment water pipe (61) is connected to the upper end portion of the water supply pressure tank (30) and the other front end side of the replenishment water pipe (61) is connected to a T-branch (62), an inhale/discharge convertible header (63) connected to opposite sides of the T-branch is disposed to be sought inside the reference water level tank (20), and a plurality of nozzle holes (64) are formed in the discharge/inhale convertible header (63)
 2. The steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure according to claim 1, wherein the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) passes a bottom surface (21) of the reference water level tank (20), takes a route inside of the reference water level tank (20), and heats water in the reference water level tank (40) by heat exchange.
 3. The steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure according to claim 1, the steam tank (10), further comprising: a heating chamber (11) provided at a lower part of the steam tank (10) and formed to be communicated with a steam collector (14) above; and a steam chamber (15) for exclusively storing collected pure steam and formed to be communicated the steam collector (14) below, wherein a steam discharge pipe (16) to discharge steam outside is installed to be connected to an upper end portion of the steam chamber.
 4. The steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure according to claim 3, further comprising: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat exchange baths (92, 93, and 94) installed outside of the water supply pipe (71), the steam discharge pipe (16) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) to wrap the water supply pipe (71), the steam discharge pipe (16) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40) respectively; and an upper water pipe (90) connected to flow water sequentially along the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat exchange baths (92, 93, and 94), the upper water pipe(90) is connected inside of the reference water level tank(20).
 5. The steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure according to claim 4, further comprising: a main body case (1) installed outside of the steam tank (10) to cover up the steam tank (10): heat conduction prevention pipes (96) connected between an upper surface of the main body case (1) and a bottom inner surface the 2nd or 4th heat exchange baths (92, 94), the heat conduction prevention pipes (96) wrap the water supply pipe (71) and the vapor pressure supply pipe (40); open parts (97) formed at front end portions of the heat conduction prevention pipes (96) and connected to outside; a heat conduction prevention pipe (96) connected between an inner lateral surface of the main body case (1) and an inner lateral surface of the 3rd heat exchange baths (93), the heat conduction prevention pipe (96) wraps the steam discharge pipe (16); and open parts (97) formed at front end portions of the heat conduction prevention pipes (96) and connected to outside.
 6. The steam generation device for automatic water supply using self vapor pressure according to claim 1, the water supply pressure tank (30), further comprising: a spacer (32) formed with a water path (31) that is horizontally installed inside the water supply pressure tank (30); a supply water chamber (33) below the spacer (32) that stores replenishment water; and a steam chamber (34) above the spacer (32) that compresses and exclusively stores vapor pressure to smoothly supply water in the supply water chamber (33) inside to the steam chamber (10) 